12 dages kør-selv-tur om sommeren | Udforsk ringvejen omkring Island med fokus på Snaefellsnes-halvøen

On day one, you will land at Keflavik International Airport, and after passing through customs, find your rental car waiting for you. The freedom of your self-drive will be apparent immediately, as you have three options for how to start your holiday.

If you elect to do so while booking, you could begin your trip in style by heading to the luxurious Blue Lagoon spa. This incredible place boasts geothermal pools with healing properties, saunas, steam rooms, and therapeutic treatments such as massages. Its surroundings could not be more beautiful, with the jagged black lava landscapes of the Reykjanes Peninsula contrasting with the striking blue waters.

Those eager to explore Iceland's nature immediately could instead choose to start their vacation by exploring this peninsula. Reykjanes is a wonderland of lunar landscapes, hot springs, and volcanic peaks and has a stunning coastline with countless geological formations. These qualities make it a great place to familiarise yourself with Iceland's unusual terrain.

Finally, you could head straight to the capital, where your hotel will be situated. One of the world's most vibrant cities, Reykjavik is well worth exploring for any who loves culture, cuisine, live music, the arts, interesting architecture, history, and a quirky nightlife.

After enjoying your first day, you'll retire for the night.

On the second day of your immersive Icelandic vacation, you will begin your slow-paced journey around the Ring Road. You will start with the west, a wonderful region of idyllic countryside, beautiful coastlines, and a peninsula so diverse that it's been nicknamed 'Iceland in Miniature', Snaefellsnes.

As you take the Ring Road out of Reykjavik, you'll soon come to Hvalfjordur, a spectacular fjord that is vibrant with color throughout summer. Those who want to find one of the country's tallest waterfalls, Glymur, can take the scenic route to the nook of the fjord and will find it nestled in the mountains, while those eager to get to other sites can take a tunnel that goes underneath it.

Borgarnes is the next major attraction, a picturesque town with a long history. It is most famous for its fascinating Icelandic Settlement Center Museum. But it is not the only historic town in the region. The nearby Reykholt is well-known for being home to the legendary medieval chieftain and writer Snorri Sturluson.

Those more interested in nature can seek out a wealth of sites nearby, such as the twin waterfalls of Barnafoss and Hraunfossar. Though just a short distance from each other, their appearances could not contrast more. Barnafoss is a furious rapid that surges down a narrow gorge; Hranfossar, meanwhile, is wide and made of many small gentle falls that flow over a plateau of lava in many little rivulets.

Near these waterfalls is the highest flowing hot spring in Europe, Deildartunghver. Adjacent to this beautiful natural feature is a modern spa that harnesses its energy called Krauma. Those seeking to break up their travels with relaxation can organize a dip here, and bask in luxury while admiring the spectacular surroundings.

If you prefer to break up today with an exciting Icelandic adventure, you have two other options. It is possible to descend beneath the lava landscapes of Iceland's terrain on a caving tour, where you can marvel over the beauty of the underworld and see firsthand the effects of Iceland's eruptions.

Alternatively, you could take a unique trip in a super jeep up the slopes of Iceland's second-largest glacier, Langjokull. Near its peak, you'll discover and explore the Ice Tunnel, a man-made matrix of vividly blue corridors and rooms that have been carved into the ice cap. Nowhere else on earth has such a tunnel been carved, so this is a truly once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

As evening winds around, you'll make your way to the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, where your hotel awaits, so you can explore each of its incredible sites in depth tomorrow without rushing. If you aren't tuckered out from the adventure so far, you can even begin some of this exploration with the guiding light of the Midnight Sun.

On day three of your slow-paced summer holiday in Iceland, you will set off to explore one of its most diverse regions: the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. Fifty-nine miles (90 km) long, both its northern and southern shores boast an incredible array of sites.

The south is particularly clustered with natural attractions. The basalt cliffs of Gerduberg are famous for their hexagonal columns. The beach of Ytri Tunga boasts a lovely seal colony. You can hike into the gorge of Raudfeldsgja to find a waterfall and try your strengths by lifting the stones on the historic beach of Djupalonssandur. Don't forget the massive basalt sea-stacks of Londrangar, home to thousands of seabirds.

The northern shore coastline is best known for being home to the country's most iconic mountain, Kirkjufell. Shaped like a church, a pyramid, or 'an arrowhead' in the context of the seventh season of Game of Thrones, it is a striking feature made all the more beautiful by its adjacent falls.

Northern Snaefellsnes is also home to many historic fishing villages, such as Bjarnahofn, famous for its shark museum, and Stykkisholmur, renowned for its folklore and thriving fishing culture. At the former, you can taste the 'delicacy' of fermented shark, whereas, at the latter, you can opt into the Viking Sushi Boat Tour while booking.

On this unique trip, you'll set out into the seas to find magnificent views of the peninsula, many islands, and the Westfjords and to fish up a fresh lunch. Birdwatchers will rejoice at the number of species found around here.

However, the highlight of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula is found on its tip, where its crowning subglacial volcano is located. Snaefellsjokull is so beautiful that it is now the central feature of a National Park of its own name, and is surrounded by magnificent lava fields and a dramatic coastline.

If you did not opt to take the boat tour, you could take a lava caving tour just below the glacier into Vatnshellir lava cave, a fantastic choice for those who missed their caving opportunity the day before.

After a day jam-packed full of adventure and sightseeing, you'll retire at a hotel on the peninsula.

On the fourth day of your relaxed, 12-day circumnavigation of Iceland, you will depart beautiful west Iceland for its spectacular north.

The journey from Snaefellsnes to Akureyri is only a few hours, but the landscapes you will pass en route beg to be investigated and explored. As this is a self-drive package, you can take any detours you want. You may, for example, wish to travel to the Vatnsnes Peninsula, renowned for its many seal colonies and the unusual rock monolith of Hvitserkur.

Of course, if you have booked one of the three excursions possible on this day, you will need to arrive at your starting location in North Iceland in good time.

The first of these is a horseback riding tour. You'll be introduced to the unique horse breed of Iceland, renowned for its small size and friendliness, before being guided through the spectacular nature that surrounds Akureyri. Whether you are a beginner or an expert rider, this tour can be tailored to you.

The second is a whale-watching and angling tour. North Iceland boasts some of the most bountiful waters in the world in summer, and you are almost guaranteed to see at least one Humpback Whale as you gaze across the stunning fjord of Eyjafjordur. Other animals regularly seen include White-Beaked Dolphins and Atlantic Puffins, whereas Orcas, Blue Whales, and even Belugas are spotted on rare occasions.

The final tour on offer today is the most unique: a beer bath at the Beer Spa in the village of Dalvik. Though an unusual way to relax in a country with so many hot springs, the warm, young beer you will bathe in is said to have therapeutic properties, and adults are welcome to enjoy a pint with their dip.

After a day of enjoying beautiful landscapes, hidden gems, and an unforgettable excursion, you'll retire for the night in Akureyri. If you have the opportunity, this is a great town to explore before retiring. Nicknamed the Capital of the North, it is a cultural hot-spot, boasts some beautiful architecture, and has plenty of attractions worth seeing.

On the fifth day of your travels, you'll immerse yourself further into the beauty of North Iceland. Those interested in culture could spend the morning in Akureyri, visiting its museums, boutiques, galleries, and the world's northernmost botanical gardens, whereas those eager to see more nature can hit the road straight away.

One of the major attractions nearby is the village of Husavik, arguably the oldest settlement in Iceland. This village is even more renowned than Akureyri for its whale-watching opportunities, and you can set out into Skjalfandi Bay to search for the giants of the deep. You have the option of taking a traditional whale watching boat for more comfort or a RIB vessel for added excitement and closer interaction with the animals.

Husavik is also becoming increasingly known for being home to the Geosea Baths. This saltwater geothermal spa is unique in Iceland, and it is highly recommended for those who want an alternative relaxation experience. With its views overlooking the ocean, there are few better places to unwind.

Its only competition in the area is with the Myvatn Nature Baths, which you can alternatively elect to organize entry to while booking. Located inland, by the spectacular Lake Myvatn, what this more traditional spa lacks in uniqueness it more than makes up for in amenities and size.

You will need to reach Lake Myvatn by the end of your day regardless, as it is where you'll be spending your sixth night. En route, it is recommended to stop off at the beautiful waterfall of Godafoss, famous for its intrinsic role in Iceland's history.

If you get to the lakes in good time, you'll be able to explore the magnificent features and landscapes surrounding them. You will find the lava fortress of Dimmuborgir, the barren, volcanic pass of Namaskard, and the bizarre and beautiful pseudocraters of Skutustadir. You may also have time to enjoy the lakes themselves under the Midnight Sun, with their abundant fauna, vibrant flora, and unique geology.

If not, however, you'll have time to check out these sites tomorrow. You'll retire for the night in the Lake Myvatn area.

On the sixth day of your journey, you'll depart the north, travel across the barren, lifeless landscapes of the north Icelandic Highlands, and enter the country's remote east. You can, however, opt to take a super jeep tour before leaving Myvatn to head to the spectacular calderas of Askja and Viti.

Though this excursion requires some hiking, it will allow you to immerse yourself in a landscape so otherworldly that NASA used it to simulate the surface of the moon. It will also provide you with the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to bathe in the strikingly blue, geothermally heated water of a crater lake. It will give you the best views of the country's unspoiled interior this tour has to offer.

Once you continue on your Ring Road journey, there are plenty of incredible detours you can make. You could, for example, elect to see the magnificent, horseshoe-shaped canyon of Asbyrgi, which is filled with verdant forest. Near here is the most powerful waterfall in Europe, Dettifoss, which thunders into an ancient, black canyon with ominous force.

Upon reaching the east, your main destination will be the region's largest settlement, the charming town of Egilsstadir. This town sits close to Iceland's biggest forest, Hallormsstadaskogur, which boasts some lovely trails for hikers and birdwatchers, and the serene lake of Lagarfljot.

Lagarfljot is best renowned for two things. Firstly, it has for centuries been plagued with the rumor that it holds a terrible, wyrm-like beast, similar to the Loch Ness Monster. Secondly, it is known for being home to the Vok Baths. The only geothermal spa of its kind in East Iceland, its ethereal pools curve into the lake, and you can organize to bathe in them when booking.

After another action-packed day on the road, you'll retire for the night in Egilsstadir.

The adventure continues on day seven of your immersive summer holiday in Iceland as you navigate the magnificent East Fjords.

Out of all of the regions you will explore on this trip, the East Fjords is the furthest from Reykjavik, thus the freest from other travelers. As such, you can marvel over the stunning views without other tourists getting into your eye line and the frames of your photographs.

Many visitors to Iceland declare the East Fjords their favorite region for its sheer beauty. It has some of the country's tallest mountains, boasting views over the largest glacier in Europe, Vatnajokull, its fjords and bays are magnificent, and it is abundant with wildlife.

The shores are great for spotting seals. The seas are often home to whales and dolphins. Puffins and other seabirds crowd the cliffs, and wild reindeer can be found only here.

The East also has many sleepy villages nestled in the fjords that seem as old as time. These are wonderful places to immerse yourself in the more rural side of Iceland's culture, particularly at the settlement of Djupivogur, which is known for its chilled way of living, its coastal hot pools, and its public art.

You'll be able to detour constantly en route to the region's hidden gems, but if you are mainly seeking Iceland's most famous and photographed features, you'll find one towards the end of your journey. Vestrahorn is a striking, twin-peaked mountain with a notably dark coloration, which ominously stands by the edge of the seas at the very south of the East Fjords.

You will retire for the night in southeast Iceland.

Your eighth day will be spent in south Iceland exploring the two most majestic locations of Vatnajokull National Park, with a possible tour at each of them. The first site has the unofficial title of 'the Crown Jewel of Iceland's Nature': the Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon.

This enormous lake sits between the ocean (with which it is connected by a narrow river) and a crumbling outlet glacier. Throughout the year, it is filled with vast icebergs which shimmer an ethereal blue, making a walk along the shores mesmerizing. To make the site even more appealing, it is home to many seals, which can be seen swimming in the waters or relaxing on the icebergs.

For a more immersive experience here, you can take either an amphibious or zodiac boat into the lagoon, where you can see the animals up close and even touch the ice.

After making the most of this otherworldly location, you would be remiss not to walk to the adjacent coastline. Nicknamed the Diamond Beach, this is where the icebergs come to rest after they finally escape Jokulsarlon, washing on the black sands and glistening beautifully as they slowly melt.

Today's second main attraction is the Skaftafell Nature Reserve. Before Vatnajokull National Park was created and enveloped Skaftafell, this breathtaking area was a National Park in its own right. It boasts countless paths leading to outlet glaciers, glacier lagoons, lava fields, and a plethora of other features, although its most beloved attractions are Svartifoss Waterfall and the Svinafellsjokull Glacier Tongue.

Svartifoss is famed for its unique appearance. It pours between towering columns of black basalt, formed into perfect hexagons by a rare volcanic process. Svinafellsjokull, meanwhile, is renowned for being one of the best ice caps in the country for glacier hiking.

You are welcome to organize an excursion here when booking, and as it is conducted in the afternoon, you can embark on it alongside a Jokulsarlon boat trip.

After marveling over Vatnajokull's incredible features, you travel a short way along the South Coast to your hotel near the historic, beautiful village of Vik, perfectly positioned for your sightseeing adventure tomorrow.

On the ninth day of your epic adventure around Iceland, you will explore the many sites that line the South Coast. Many travelers attempt to fit this region, Skaftafell, and Jokulsarlon, into a single day and find themselves skipping and rushing attractions. However, due to this package's focus in the south, you will be able to give each one justice.

Traveling from Kirkjubaejarklaustur, the first major site you will come to is the village of Vik, which sits next to the famous Reynisfjara beach. Considered one of the world's most stunning non-tropical beaches, it is renowned for its volcanic black sands, thunderous waves, and incredible geological formations - particularly the massive sea-stacks of Reynisdrangar.

A short distance from here is another geological marvel - Dyrholaey is a coastal rock arch large enough for ships to travel through. Though spectacular throughout the year, it is a particularly marvelous attraction in summer, as it is one of the best places in Iceland to see puffins. Reasonably unafraid of humans, you'll be able to view these creatures and their burrows quite intimately.

The next site you will come to is a 197 ft (60 m) tall waterfall, Skogafoss, which boasts an incredible amount of power. It is possible to get close to this feature, though you may get wet, and view it from many different angles due to an adjacent staircase.

As you continue along the South Coast, you'll catch glimpses of Eyjafjallajokull and Myrdalsjokull, two massive glaciers. While the former is more famous for its massive eruption in 2010, the latter is of more interest to you today, as there are two tours you can take upon it.

The first is a glacier hike on one of its tongues, Solheimajokull. Under the care of an experienced guide, you'll navigate around the crevasses and ice walls to find some of the South Coast's most beautiful views. Alternatively, you could take an ice caving tour into one of its naturally occurring tunnels after taking a super jeep to its summit, an excursion that only occurs on Myrdalsjokull in summer.

After this adventure, you'll come to another waterfall, Seljalandsfoss. Though as tall as Skogafoss, it is much more gentle and boasts a fully encircling path. Those who wade through a shallow stream into a mountainside cleft nearby will discover its secret neighboring falls, Gljufrabui.

Towards the end of your day, you will reach the picturesque, rural area of Selfoss, where your hotel will be waiting.

On the tenth day of your holiday around Iceland, you will leave the Ring Road to follow the country's most popular sightseeing trail: the Golden Circle. While traveling this route, you'll also have the choice of three epic Icelandic adventures to choose from.

The first site you will come to is Gullfoss, one of the country's most dramatic waterfalls. Tumbling in two tiers, its spray is famous for casting off countless rainbows in the sun, adding to its unreal beauty.

After admiring this site, those who wish to take a snowmobiling excursion can be picked up from the nearby car park and escorted in a super jeep to Langjokull glacier. Snowmobiling is a thrilling way to explore the ice cap and witness the south of Iceland from a whole new perspective.

The next location on the Golden Circle is just a ten-minute drive away from Gullfoss, the Geysir Geothermal Area. As its name suggests, this area is home to the Great Geysir, an exploding hot spring so spectacular that it gave its name to all similar phenomena around the world.

These days, the star of the site is the much more explosive Strokkur, which erupts every ten minutes to magnificent heights.

Finally, you'll come to Thingvellir National Park. This incredible place has something for everyone: those fascinated with geology can marvel over the tectonic plates that enclose it, history buffs can learn all about its significant role in modern democratic thought, and nature lovers can explore its beautiful lava fields, forests, streams, and ravines.

In one of these ravines is a natural spring called Silfra, where the adventurous can embark on a snorkeling tour between the continents. The waters here are so fresh that they are drinkable; the visibility is up to 328 ft (100 m), and the colors underneath the water are otherworldly.

If snowmobiling and snorkeling are not your cups of tea, you can instead enjoy a lovely two-hour horseback ride through the beautiful landscapes of southwest Iceland.

As this is your last day on the road, you may wish to pack in some detours. Thankfully, this area boasts many lesser-known sites that are well worth a visit, including the Kerid Crater Lake, the Secret Lagoon, and Fridheimar tomato farm.

Once you have had your fill of sightseeing, you'll return to Reykjavik, where your final hotel will be waiting.

On the penultimate day of your holiday, you are welcome to have a well-earned rest enjoying the bustling capital of Reykjavik. After all, the city appeals to visitors of all kinds, with museums and galleries, public art, interesting architecture, world-renowned restaurants, stylish boutiques, and beautiful natural spaces.

If, however, you are not finished with adventure, you have two exciting options for tours. Firstly, you could head to the domestic airport and take an incredible helicopter flight over the capital and its surroundings. This spectacular new perspective is a fantastic final activity, sure to leave you with some lasting memories.

Secondly, you could embark on another adventure exclusive to Iceland: a descent into a magma chamber. Thrihnukagigur stopped being an active volcano centuries ago, but rather than collapse in on itself like most do upon becoming dormant, its magma chamber drained and was preserved. Using a mining lift, you'll enter this magnificent, vast space and have the chance to wander around its base, marveling over the vivid colors and beautiful formations.

Of course, you will still have your rental car this day, so you are welcome to go completely off this agenda and set out to explore more south and west Iceland sites. The Reykjanes Peninsula, the geothermal valley of Reykjadalur, and the beautiful tabletop mountain of Esjan are all just a short drive away.

Regardless of how you choose to spend your day, you can enjoy your final night knowing that you have truly made the most of your vacation in Iceland.

Your twelfth day is sadly your last in Iceland. You'll need to return your rental car to the airport a few hours before your flight is due to depart on time.

If you have a late departure, however, you can use the opportunity to explore more sides of the capital city and its surrounding nature. Those who could not fit a visit to the Blue Lagoon on their first day can elect to spend it here. Though your journey around Iceland was done without rush, you'll no doubt still be grateful for the luxurious, rejuvenating waters after all the adventure.

We hope you enjoy your flight home and come back soon.